APC defends FG’s $9m lobbying deal, dismisses opposition criticism
In a statement released Friday by its spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC described the engagement of lobbyists as a standard global practice.
Reports revealed that Kaduna-based law firm Aster Legal retained U.S. lobbying firm DCI Group on behalf of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The agreement was signed on December 17, 2025, by Aster Legal’s Managing Partner, Oyetunji Olalekan Teslim, and DCI Group’s Justin Peterson.
Opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Labour Party, criticised the move, accusing the Tinubu administration of prioritising image laundering abroad while Nigerians face insecurity and economic hardship.
ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi described the expenditure as misplaced, arguing that no amount of lobbying could conceal the government’s failure to protect lives and property.
The Lagos APC countered that such criticism reflected either ignorance of modern governance or deliberate misinformation. It stressed that governments worldwide routinely hire lobbying and public affairs firms to advance national interests, attract investment, correct false narratives, and strengthen diplomatic and security ties.
“Countries across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa deploy such firms to influence policy, boost trade, secure development assistance and protect strategic assets. Lobbying is a universal, lawful and widely deployed instrument of statecraft,” the party said.
The APC argued that the initiative would help Nigeria counter negative portrayals abroad and project reforms and progress. It accused the opposition of historically spending resources to “demarket” Nigeria internationally, while their predictions of collapse had failed to materialise.
The statement added: “By proactively projecting Nigeria’s reforms, priorities and progress through legitimate global channels, the government has ensured that the true Nigerian story will now be told in truth and in deed from a positive, factual and forward-looking perspective.”
The Lagos APC concluded by urging Nigerians to support efforts to defend the country’s interests globally, insisting that strategic international advocacy is essential in today’s competitive world order.
